He then miss the Masters in April and underwent a fourth operation on his back.

Woods said last week: "It has been just over a month since I underwent fusion surgery on my back, and it is hard to express how much better I feel. It was instant nerve relief. I haven't felt this good in years.

"The long-term prognosis is positive. My surgeon and physiotherapist say the operation was successful. I'm walking and doing my exercises, and taking my kids to and from school. All I can do is take it day by day. There's no hurry.

Reuters

Tiger Woods in action at the Farmers Insurance Open in January

"But I want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf again."